Bills · HR 5200
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5200Emergency communications systemsTelephone and wireless communication
Emergency Reporting Act
INTRO SEP 8· LAST ACTION APR 21
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- One chamber only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 4 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenDuring emergencies like hurricanes, wildfires, or other major events, reliable communication is vital for public safety, connecting with loved ones, and coordinating relief efforts. When internet and phone services fail, it can have severe consequences, making it difficult for people to call for help or access critical information. This bill matters because it pushes for a better understanding of *why* these outages happen and *how* to prevent them or restore services faster.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more resilient communication networks during disasters, meaning fewer people are cut off from emergency services or information when they need it most. It would also increase transparency and accountability for communication providers regarding their performance during emergencies. Without this bill, the FCC might not be required to hold these public discussions or issue detailed reports, potentially leading to a slower pace of improvements in network reliability and emergency reporting, leaving communities more vulnerable during future crises.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must hold at least one public hearing annually, following any event where the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) was activated for seven days or more.
This ensures public input and accountability regarding communication network performance during significant emergencies.
PROVISION 02
After each public hearing, the FCC must issue a report within 120 days detailing communication outages (broadband, VoIP, mobile) during the related event, the number of affected users, and recommendations for improving network resilience.
These reports provide crucial data and actionable insights to enhance the reliability of essential communication services during disasters.
PROVISION 03
The FCC must conduct an investigation and publish a report within one year on improving network outage reporting, specifically looking at the value of visual information for 9-1-1 centers and identifying any unreported 9-1-1 outages.
This aims to improve the accuracy and speed of information available to emergency services, which can be critical for timely response during crises.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
21
BILLS LED
29
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
23 EVENTSAPR 21
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 375.
APR 20
Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
APR 20
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2974-2976)
APR 20
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5200.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5200
Congress119th
StatusPassed House
IntroducedSep 8, 2025
Last actionApr 21, 2026
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 8, 2025
House BillHR 5200Emergency communications systemsTelephone and wireless communication
Emergency Reporting Act
INTRODUCED SEP 8, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 21, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
